Keeping phones, Internet running in the rain

Nov 7, 2013

Unfavourable weather conditions in the form of heavy rains and electrical storm activity are expected across South Africa during the annual rainy season. Telkom says it is gearing up to minimise network related faults

caused by the adverse weather conditions and the effect this has on its customers.

Thunderstorms are most prevalent at this time of year, especially in the interior regions of the country – greater Gauteng and Free State areas being most affected.

Gauteng, in particular, is predisposed to heavy rains as well as a high water table often resulting in the flooding of underground access infrastructure. Flooding could cause faults but it also restricts workmen from
accessing the fault zone, causing delays in repair times.

“The company understands the great inconvenience disconnection of its services brings to its customers and will be on extra high alert during this period, mobilising all available technicians to work additional hours,”
says Theo Hess, Telkom’s managing executive for Network Filed Services.

Affected customers can reach Telkom to report their problems via four channels:
* Faults can be logged electronically via the Telkom website – www.telkom.co.za;
* Customers can SMS “SERVICE” and their number to 30591 for quick and easy assistance;
* Telkom’s app can be downloaded for free on an Apple device from the App Store, and the Android version from the Google Play Store; and
* Residential customers can call 10210 for assistance, while business customers can contact 10217.

Hess advises customers that, once they have obtained a reference number after reporting a fault, they do not need to call Telkom again as the company’s internal systems will manage all faults and ensure that repairs
are completed.

Electrical power surges caused by lightning may damage computer components with excessive voltage. Modems are especially susceptible, because a harmful power surge can reach the modem in two ways –
through the electrical power grid and through the telephone line to which the modem is connected.

Customers are advised that when there is a thunderstorm, not only should all power supply cables be unplugged, but also any telephone cables that are connected to the computer.